Deepwater submersible barge



I Sept. 29, 1953 R. A. J. DAWSON DEEPWATER' SUBMERSIBLE 'BARGE Original Pud lmrcn 25, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l ROBIRTAJ. MWSON ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 29, 1953 R. A. J. DAWSON DEEPWATER SUBMERSIBLE BARGE v Original Hid Karen 23, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 29, 1953 DEEPWATER SUBMERSIBLE BARGE Robert A. J. Dawson, Houston, Tex.

Continuation of application Serial No. 584,330, March 23, 1945. This application April 6, 1949,

Serial No. 85,931

4 Claims.

This invention relates to the drilling of wells in water submerged areas, and more particularly to a drilling barge which may be positioned upon I a submerged surface and utilized when in such position for deep well drilling operations.

This application is a continuation of my prior application S. N. 584,330 filed March 23, 1945,,

now abandoned, entitled Deep Water Submersible Barge which was copending herewith.

In the manner disclosed in the Giliasso Patent No. 1,681,533, it has been a practice in relatively shallow submarine drilling to utilize a submergible barge having an elevated superstructure upon which is mounted drilling equipment and such other equipment as is necessary for controlling ballast conditions in the barge. Such a barge, and associated equipment, is floated to the drilling site whereupon ballast is admitted, as necessary, so that the barge submerges and rests upon the surface of the area in which drilling is to be carried out. After drilling is completed the structure is freed from the sup-porting surface and floated to a new location.

Various difliculties have been experienced in the prior art exemplified by the above-mentioned patent. For example, the depth at which drilling operations can be carried out is relatively limited, primarily because of the effect of wind and waves when floating the barge to location. Also the submerged barge becomes firmly attached to the supporting surface and is subsequently released therefrom with difficulty and hazard. Such hazard involves both the barge and its equipment, and the well producing equipment installed for continued production of the completed well. In order to release and float the barge when drilling operations are completed, excessive underwatering of the compartments of the barge is necessary, and release is followed by a rapid rise of the barge. The erratic movement of the barge at such time endangers the well producing equip-- ment theretofore installed. Furthermore, the center of gravity of the barge and associated equipment under such conditions is higher than during normal floating conditions so that increased instability exists and there is even greater danger of capsizing of the barge under the effects of wind and waves.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a drilling barge which is so constructed that the'difficulties above indicated are minimized.

Another object is to provide a drilling barge which may be safely used in more deeply submerged areas than in th prior art P c A further object is to provide a barge in which the effect of wind and waves is minimized.

A still further and more specific object is to provide a drilling barge which comprises a submerged or base pontoon and a supplemental pontoon so constructed and arranged that the location of the metacenter above the center of gravity of the barge and its associated equipment is assured.

Still another object is to provide a drilling barge including an underwater pontoon which is maintained submerged and which is therefore relatively unaffected by surface waves.

It is also an object to provide a barge having supplemental lift pontoons and means for adjusting the elevation of these pontoons.

A further object is to provide cooperating base pontoons and supplemental pontoons and means for nesting the latter into the former.

A still further object is to provide a plurality of underwater or base pontoons and interconnecting means therefor, such interconnecting means providing for limited vertical movement therebetween whereby the barge canradapt itself to the supporting surface and the release of the underwater pontoons from such surface can be sequentially effected.

Still another object is to provide a barge having pontoons with cham-fered peripheral edges to minimize adhesion to the supporting surface and to assist in the initiation of release from such surfaces.

Another object is to provide a drilling barge which may be easily released from the surface upon which it is supported during drilling, and thereafter skidded from location about the completed well.

A further object is to provide a barge which is so constructed that an uneven trim fore and aft may be provided to facilitate skidding from about the completed well.

Still another object is to provide a barge which is so constructed and arranged that correlation of buoyant forces thereon enables accurate control of movements of the barge and in particular of vertical movements when moving from location at which operations have been completed.

The foregoing objects together with additional objects and advantages of the invention will be more fully apparent from the following description considered inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an end elevational view of a barge embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the structure shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the drilling barge.

Figure 4 is a sectional View taken on line 4-4 in Figure 3.

The term drilling barge as used herein comprehends any b'arg'e of the submergible type or similar vessel designed for use in carrying out subsurface operations from the surface, or a point thereabove.

In its preferred form, the invention compre-.: hends a barge including sections l and 2 in sideby-side relation, each of said sections including an underwater or base pontoon-3 of which the buoyancy and ballasting effects are enhanced by one or more supplemental pontoons 4 which are adapted to rise within the interconnecting framework 5 extending upwardly above the normal transportation water line indicated at 6. The framework 5 supports elevated platforms or floors I and B- upor i which men 'canwork and on which the derrick 9 and other drilling and control equipment needed for off-shore drilling or the operating equipment for other marine operations are mounted.

The base pontoons 3 and the supplemental pontoons 4 are hollow fluid tight bodies of ample size and so arranged as to provide adequate buoyancy and desired stability, on location, when removing from location, and when transporting the barge to a new location. This feature is of importance. During transportation from one location to another, and. especially in large ex panses of water, the barge must be sufficiently stable to withstand both wind and waves; accordingly, construction must be such that the center of gravity is low, and at the same time the metacenter of the barge and associated equip ment shall be high. As will be more fully apparent, these requirement are met by the provision of both submerged or base pontoons 3 of large displacement corresponding to large buoyancy when deflooded and the supplemental pontoons 4 totwhichreference has just been made which are of but smaller displacement corresponding to lower maximum buoyancy, i. e., when defiooded. By means of this construction the base pontoons are maintained beneath the surfaceof the submerging medium,- except in shallow water, the supplemental pontoons 4 being substantially awash. Thus, both buoyancy and ballasting may be controlled in such a manner as to provide desired conditions of stability. Ina similar manner, desired conditions can be obtained and controlled to enable breaking away from location and movement therefrom without disturbing well completion equipment installed within the well which is indicated at It.

To enable operating features as above indicated the pontoons 3 are provided with a suitable number of longitudinal bulkheads H and transverse bulkheads l2 forming compartments [3 within these pontoons. Openings are provided in the upper surfaces of the pontoons 3 so that as shown in dotted lines in Figure 3 the supplemental pontoons 4 may rest therein with their centers of displacement close to the level of the centers of displacement of the base pontoon.

The framework 5 comprises suitable studs or columns [5 having small horizontal dimensions compared to their spacing, girders l6, and such bracing therefor as may be deemed necessary. In the drawings there isshowna plurality of cables or bars [1 which are intended to be used instead of, or supplemental to, bracing within the framework 5. This openwork construction for supporting the operating floors leaves large openings for the passage of air and water through the support construction and presents a relatively small area in any direction obstructing such air and water flow so that the fluid dynamic forces on the vessel are minimized.

From within thenesting compartments of the pontoons 3 there extends upwardly a plurality of guideways 2c which, as best seen in Figure 4, are angular inucross section. These guideways are located at the corners of the supplemental pontoons 4 and serve to guide these pontoons between vertical positions within the framework 5. :'.During transportation of the barge, the pontoons 4 are anchored at such predetermined level that desired conditions of transportation are obtained; To this end, suitable fastening means is provided within the framework to determine the upward limit of travel of the pontoons 4. One form of such meansis shown in Figure 4 as comprising a collar 2 I which surrounds the guideway 20 and which includes an inwardly extending arm 22 so that clamping engagement with the.

guideway 20 is effected when the set screws23 are tightened into engagement with the apex of.

the guideway. It seems apparent that the nether.

surface of each ofthe clamp members 21 is en-.

gageable by the associated pontoon 4 whereby the upper limit of movement of such pontoon is de-H termined.

Suitable means. is provided for introducing water ballast to,-or withdrawing water from, the respective pontoons 3 and 4, to adjust each oftheir average specific gravities over a range be- Such a ballast control means is illustrated in Fig.- ure 3 as comprising in each pontoon 4 a distribution pipe 38 having a plurality of outlets such as. outlet 3| providing a connection to each com-.. partment of the pontoon. Each outlet is con-. trolled by a valve such as 32 operated manually from the upper deck by means of a longvalve stem '33. 'A- seacock'ii is connected to pipe 30 and is controlled by valve stem 35. A pump 35 is also connected topipeSD. Each compartment of pontoon 4 is vented by means of a pipe such.

astl. Selective flooding of the compartments is accomplished by means of the seacock 34 which together with appropriateones of the individual compartment valves 32 is opened to admit ballast water. Defioodingis accomplished by means of pump 35 which is operated to remove ballast water through pipe 39 from any compartment;

whose valve 32 is open. The vent pipes 31. provide passages for the exhaust of air during flood.-

ing and intake of air during defiooding. In like. manner, each pontoon 3 such as that at the right.v

of Figure 3 is provided with a seacock 38 operated by valve stem 39, a-pump GI], and a vent pipe 4.1..

In order to make a clearer showing of the" other parts ofthe device, the means for flooding anddeiiooding or controlling the ballast of pontoons 3 and 4 have been'.omitted except in-Figure 3 and there shown only in part,-it being understood that like means is used with all of the pontoons 3 and 4 and. each. compartment of pontoonsl.

A- fuller descriptionof such means is included in the aforementioned Giliasso patent. It is' fur- 5. ther to be understood that any other suitable means can be used to introduce and withdraw ballast from the pontoons.

While the respective sections l and 2 are integral structures, such sections are internected by means of links 25 so that the entire structure will operate as a unit. These links are pivotally attached to the sections I and 2 so that there can be limited vertical movement of one of these sections with respect to the other. If, when on location, the sections l and 2 are at slightly different levels, the derrick 9 may be leveled by jacks and/or wedges after the barge is in final location upon the'supporting surface.

To assist in breaking the barge from the bottom the pontoons 3 are provided with chamfered edges 26 which may also include the inboard edges 2'! although in its preferred form these latter edges are unchamfered so that efficient action with guidepiling may be had as more fully pointed out hereinafter.

The operation and advantages of the barge as above described are believed apparent from the description. By way of summary it will be assumed that the barge is on location and that a well H) has been completed including a wellhead installation which extends upwardly a suitable distance, usually above the surface 6 .of the submerging medium. The lowermost links .25 are then removed at one end of the elongated space between the pontoons 3. Floating operations are then begun by unwatering compartments of the respective pontoons 3 and 4 which previously have been flooded, the pontoons 3 resting on bottom and the pontoons lnesting therewithin.

Preferably the supplemental pontoons 4 are first floated to their uppermost position as determined by the clamp 2| upon the guideways 2B. Unwatering of the compartments within the base pontoons 3 is then carried out, it being preferable to effect sequential breaking away of the pontoons from the supporting surface. That is to say, one section of the barge may be released while the other is used as an anchor or pilot. Such released section may then be replaced on bottom and in turn used as an anchor or pilot while the other is released. Then both sections are flooded simultaneously and the elevation of the base pontoons can be adjusted by raisins and lowering the supplemental pontoons and clamp; ing them in their adjusted positions. The supplemental pontoons, as is apparent from the foregoing description thereof, can be raised and lowered by unwatering and flooding, or they can be raised and lowered manually. In case a supplemental pontoon is to be lowered by flooding it will be observed that the barge will be kept afloat with the aid of others of the supplemental pontoons.

By virtue of the structure which includes both base and supplemental pontoons, slight lifting may be effected, and likewise fore and aft trims may be provided whereby the after end of the pontoons 3 may drag while the forward ends thereof may be lifted slightly from the submerged surface. To assist in removal operations guide piling may be provided between the base pontoons 3. Since the elevation of the barge may be accurately controlled and the points of contact with these piling maintained closely adjacent the submerged surface, safe removal of the barge from about the completed well is assured.

In the manner just indicated the barge may be controllably removed from position about the well It! whereupon desired transport conditions may be established. It seems apparent that the chamfered edges 26 on the pontoons 3 reduce the suction hold of the submerged surface upon the pontoons whereby the effort required to release the barge from the bottom is reduced. This feature together with the fact that the pontoons may be sequentially released enables constant control of the barge.

Attention is also directed to the fact that, under some circumstances, it may be desired to entirely disconnect the two sections 1 and 2. In such case obviously the derrick 9 is dismantled and, together with the remaining equipment, positioned upon the barge sections 1 and 2, normally towing action would be applied to the windward section of the barge during the disconnecting of thelinks 25. When the disconnect is complete the windward barge section is safely floated from the site. Thereafter the lee section can likewise be safely floated away, whereupon the sections may be transported separately or may be reunited for transportation and reuse.

Broadly the invention comprehends a drilling barge which may be utilized in drilling operations within a submerged area and which may be readily removed from a drilling location and. safely transported to a succeeding location.

What is claimed is:

1. A submergible barge for submarine operations comprising a plurality of base pontoons, at least one supplemental pontoon for each of said base pontoons, a framework interconnecting said base pontoons for limited vertical movement therebetween, said framework providing a substructure for operating equipment, and means anchoring each said supplemental pontoon to said barge in predetermined buoyant positions above the base pontoons whereby said base pontoons are maintainable submerged with the center of gravity of the barge low relative to the surface of the submerging medium.

2. A submergible barge for submarine operations comprising a plurality of base pontoons, a framework interconnecting said pontoons for limited vertical movement therebetween, said framework providing a substructure for operating equipment, a supplemental pontoon for each of said base pontoons, guideways extending upwardly from said base pontoons, and means for limiting upward movement of said supplemental pontoons in said guideways whereby the barge isfioatable with the base pontoons submerged.

3. A submergible barge for submarine operations comprising a pair of base pontoons. in side by side relation, a plurality of supplemental pontoons, at least one of said supplemental pontoons being nestable in each of said base pontoons, a framework interconnecting said base pontoons and extending upwardly therefrom, guideways for said supplemental pontoons extending upwardly from said base pontoons, said supplemental pontoons being constrained by said guideways to movement along said guideways relative to the rest of said barge between positions in which said supplemental pontoons are nested in said base pontoons and positions in which said supplemental pontoons are disposed above said base pontoons and means anchoring said supplemental pontoons to said barge, said means being adjustable to anchor said supplemental pontoons in any desired positions along said guideways including positions in which said supplemental pontoons are disposed above said base pontoons 71- whereby thebarge may be transported with the base pontoonssubmergedf 5: 4: A submergible bareiior submarinepperations comprising a *principalapparatus including a hollow totally -closed"wate r-tight submersible base pontoon, means tointroduce ballast into said base pontoon and to;withdrawballast from said base pontoon, said base pontoon having suf-- ficient buoyancy when without ballast toiioat the the entire barge, an openwor-k rigid supporting structure secured to said base-pontoon and rising thereabove, andwa floorcarried by said structure above said base pontoonand spaced therefrom a substantial distance wherebywhen said base pontoon is sunk to the marine bottom in Water having a lesser depth than the height of said base pontoon plus. said distance said floor will be above water; a "supplemental pontoon, rigid means connected to said apparatus constraining said supplemental pontoon to motion relative to said apparatus along a predetermined path, said path including a position in which the center of displacement of the supplemental pontoon is above that of said base pontoon and a position in which thecenter of displacement of said supplemental pontoon isv close to that of-said base pontoon and'successive positions intermediate therebetween as regards the vertical component of the distance between the centers of displacement of said'pontoons, means to introdime-ballast into andto withdrawballast ifrom saidsupplemental --p.ontoon-, said supplemental pontoon when without ballast being-buoyantbut having less buoyancy than said base pontoon when. without ballast, and meansforanchoring said supplemental pontoon at a desired position along said path against upward movement relativeto said base pontoon, said means for anchor-- ing being adjustable as to theposition along said path .at which said supplemental pontoon is anchored, said distance of said floor above said base pontoon being independent of -the position at which said supplemental pontoon is anchored. ROBERT A. J. DAWSON.

,iReferences Cited in the file mas patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

